Uconn

Connecticut head coach Kevin Ollie displays the net to the crowd after cutting it down after the regional final against Michigan State in the NCAA college basketball tournament Sunday, March 30, 2014, in New York. Connecticut won 60-54. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

NEW YORK — Looks like Kevin Ollie is going to be just fine in this coaching thing.

Hand-picked by Jim Calhoun, Ollie started his tenure with UConn on a seven-month contract. In the middle of last season, he was awarded a five-year deal. On Sunday, Ollie directed the Huskies into their fifth Final Four.

Ollie's first NCAA Tournament has been a perfect run so far, culminating in a 60-54 East Regional final victory against Michigan State at Madison Square Garden. It took Calhoun 13 years to reach the Final Four with UConn.

It took Ollie about 18 months.

"I like what Kevin did," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. "He learned from Jim. His teams play the same way, hard, tough. You can tell it's part of their DNA over there. I'm really impressed, really happy for him."

Ollie drew loads of praise after coaching the Huskies to 20 wins last year. It was a season that seemed not to matter because of the postseason ban the Huskies labored under. Ollie consistently said it meant something as others scoffed.

It clearly was laying the foundation for this year. His players bought into that and rewarded him.

"He is the one person I can say deserves this," senior Tyler Olander said. "He wanted to bring the team to where we are at right now. His theme last year was to build for this year. He would tell us to plant seeds for the future. It has paid off and I am happy for him. He deserves it all."

When the game had ended and the Huskies and their large group of luminaries gathered on the court, Ollie shared a long, heartfelt hug with Calhoun. School president Susan Herbst was next, with athletic director Warde Manuel waiting his turn.

Whatever questions there might have been about Ollie's coaching ability after just two seasons as a UConn assistant have been quelled. Ollie can coach.

"I thank (Calhoun) for giving me this opportunity," Ollie said. "I knew what I had, though. I had faith in my players, I had a great coaching staff. ... I can do this job, but I need a lot of help. It's not just a one-man show. I just want to make these kids better people. If we can do that and win a national championship on the way, that's good."

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